Method for evaluating degradation of a particulate matter sensor after an engine start

ABSTRACT

A system for improving operation of an engine having a particulate matter sensor is presented. The system may be used to improve engine operation during cold starts especially under conditions where water vapor or entrained water droplets are present in vehicle exhaust gases. In one embodiment, particulate sensor degradation is indicated in response to an output of said particulate matter sensor staying below a threshold as engine temperature increases past the dewpoint temperature.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/239,381, entitled “SYSTEM FOR AN ENGINE HAVING A PARTICULATE SENSOR,” filed Sep. 2, 2009, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety and for all purposes.

FIELD

The present description relates to a system for improving operation of an engine having a sensor and a particulate filter. The system may be particularly useful for improving emissions of engines having particulate matter sensors.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY

Particulate matter may be present in the exhaust of some engines, diesel engines for example. Vehicle tailpipe emissions may be reduced by installing particulate filters and particulate matter sensors in vehicle exhaust systems. One particular type of particulate sensor senses particulate matter by electrodes separated by a dielectric gap. When particulate matter bridges the gap between electrodes, the resistance and conductance of the particulate matter sensor is changed.

The above-mentioned sensor may under some conditions experience degradation. For example, a wire connecting the particulate matter sensor to an engine controller may become disconnected or holes in a protective shield may become partially plugged. In such circumstances it may be desirable to determine whether or not the particulate matter sensor is operating as desired. However, it may be difficult to establish sensor degradation because the particulate sensor exhibits a high resistance when there is little particulate matter between the positive and negative electrodes. Thus, the particulate sensor output may appear to look like an open circuit. Therefore, it may be difficult to distinguish a properly operating particulate sensor from an open circuit. One embodiment of the present description includes a method for detecting a degraded particulate matter sensor, comprising: starting an engine when a temperature of said engine is less than a threshold temperature; and indicating degradation of said particulate matter sensor in response to an output of said particulate matter sensor being below a threshold, said output related to water vapor in exhaust gases generated by said engine during said starting of said engine.

Thus, by recognizing that the output of a particulate matter sensor may be affected by water vapor contained in engine exhaust gases, the inventors herein have developed a way to diagnose a resistive particulate sensor that exhibits characteristics of an open circuit when the particulate sensor is operating properly in the presence of little particulate matter. For example, the particulate sensor can be monitored during an engine start when water in the exhaust may cause a change in the state of the output of the particulate sensor. If the output of the particulate sensor does not increase above a threshold level, it may be judged that the particulate matter sensor is degraded.

The present description may provide several advantages. Specifically, the approach may improve engine emissions by allowing degraded sensors to be replaced before engine emissions degrade. Further, special hardware for monitoring or stimulating the particulate sensor may not be required because the method may be performed with the hardware that controls the particulate heater and senses the particulate sensor output. As a result, system cost may be reduced.

The above advantages and other advantages, and features of the present description will be readily apparent from the following Detailed Description when taken alone or in connection with the accompanying drawings.

It should be understood that the summary above is provided to introduce in simplified form a selection of concepts that are further described in the detailed description. It is not meant to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, the scope of which is defined uniquely by the claims that follow the detailed description. Furthermore, the claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any disadvantages noted above or in any part of this disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The advantages described herein will be more fully understood by reading an example of an embodiment, referred to herein as the Detailed Description, when taken alone or with reference to the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an engine;

FIG. 2 is a flow chart of a sensor heater control routine that controls in relation to the output of a particulate matter sensor;

FIG. 3 is an example plot of example signal of interest during an engine start;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a particulate matter sensor evaluation routine;

FIG. 5 shows an example particulate matter sensor evaluation circuit;

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of a particulate matter sensor evaluation routine; and

FIG. 7 is a plot of an example particulate matter sensor output.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of an engine system generally at 10. Specifically, internal combustion engine 10 comprises a plurality of cylinders, one cylinder of which is shown in FIG. 1. Engine 10 is controlled by electronic engine controller 12. Engine 10 includes combustion chamber 14 and cylinder walls 16 with piston 18 positioned therein and connected to crankshaft 20. Combustion chamber 14 communicates with an intake manifold 22 and an exhaust manifold 24 via respective intake valve 26 and exhaust valve 28.

Intake manifold 22 communicates with throttle body 30 via throttle plate 32. In one embodiment, an electronically controlled throttle can be used. In one embodiment, the throttle is electronically controlled to periodically, or continuously, maintain a specified vacuum level in intake manifold 22. Alternatively, throttle body 30 and throttle plate 32 may be omitted.

Combustion chamber 14 is also shown having fuel injector 34 coupled thereto for delivering fuel in proportion to the pulse width of signal (fpw) from controller 12. Fuel is delivered to fuel injector 34 by a conventional fuel system (not shown) including a fuel tank, fuel pump, and fuel rail (not shown). In the case of direct injection engines, as shown in FIG. 1, a high pressure fuel system is used such as a common rail system. However, there are several other fuel systems that could be used as well, including but not limited to EUI, HEUI, etc.

In the depicted embodiment, controller 12 is a conventional microcomputer, and includes a microprocessor unit 40, input/output ports 42, electronic memory 44, which may be an electronically programmable memory in this particular example, random access memory 46, and a conventional data bus.

Controller 12 receives various signals from sensors coupled to engine 10, including but not limited to: measurements of inducted mass airflow (MAF) from mass airflow sensor 50 coupled to the air filter [A on FIG. 1]; engine coolant temperature (ECT) from temperature sensor 52 coupled to cooling jacket 54; a measurement of manifold pressure (MAP) from manifold pressure sensor 56 coupled to intake manifold 22; a measurement of throttle position (TP) from throttle position sensor 58 coupled to throttle plate 32; intake air charge temperature sensor 51; and a profile ignition pickup signal (PIP) from Hall effect (or variable reluctance) sensor 60 proximate to crankshaft 20 indicating engine speed.

Engine 10 may include an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system to help lower NO and other emissions. For example, engine 10 may include a high pressure EGR system in which exhaust gas is delivered to intake manifold 22 by a high pressure EGR tube 70 communicating with exhaust manifold 24 at a location upstream of an exhaust turbine 90 a of a compression device 90, and communicating with intake manifold 22 at a location downstream of an intake compressor 90 b of compression device 90. The depicted high pressure EGR system includes high pressure EGR valve assembly 72 located in high pressure EGR tube 70. Exhaust gas travels from exhaust manifold 24 first through high pressure EGR valve assembly 72, and then to intake manifold 22. An EGR cooler [shown at Y in FIG. 1] may be located in high pressure EGR tube 70 to cool recirculated exhaust gases before entering the intake manifold. Cooling is typically done using engine water, but an air-to-air heat exchanger may also be used.

Engine 10 may also include a low pressure EGR system. The depicted low pressure EGR system includes a low pressure EGR tube 170 communicating with exhaust manifold 22 at a location downstream of exhaust turbine 90 a, and communicating with intake manifold 22 at a location upstream of intake compressor 90 b. A low pressure valve assembly 172 is located in low pressure EGR tube 170. Exhaust gas in the low pressure EGR loop travels from turbine 90 a through a catalytic device 82 (for example, a diesel oxidation catalyst and/or NO_(x) trap) and a diesel particulate filter 80 before entering low pressure EGR tube 170. A low pressure EGR cooler Ya may be positioned along low pressure EGR tube 170.

High pressure EGR valve assembly 72 and low pressure EGR valve assembly 172 each has a valve (not shown) for controlling a variable area restriction in high pressure EGR tube 70 and low pressure EGR tube 170, which thereby controls flow of high and low pressure EGR, respectively.

Vacuum regulators 74 and 174 are coupled to high pressure EGR valve assembly 72 and low pressure EGR valve assembly 172, respectively. Vacuum regulators 74 and 174 receive actuation signals from controller 12 for controlling the valve positions of high pressure EGR valve assembly 72 and low pressure EGR valve assembly 172. In a preferred embodiment, high pressure EGR valve assembly 72 and low pressure EGR valve assembly 172 are vacuum actuated valves. However, any type of flow control valve or valves may be used such as, for example, an electrical solenoid powered valve or a stepper motor powered valve.

A particulate matter sensor 176 may be placed in the exhaust system between particulate filter 80 and the tailpipe to monitor particulate emissions. Likewise, a second particulate matter sensor 178 may be placed upstream of particulate filter 80. Particulate matter sensor 178 may be placed either between catalytic device 82 and particulate filter 80 (as depicted), or may be placed upstream of catalytic device 82. Particulate matter sensor 176 may be referred to herein as “downstream particulate matter sensor 176” and particulate matter sensor 178 may be referred to herein as “upstream particulate matter sensor 178.” In one embodiment, particulate matter sensors may sense the accumulation of soot between two electrodes by a change in the impedance between the two electrodes.

Compression device 90 may be a turbocharger or any other such device. The depicted compression device 90 has a turbine 90 a coupled in the exhaust manifold 24 and a compressor 90 b coupled in the intake manifold 22 via an intercooler [shown at X in FIG. 1], which is typically an air-to-air heat exchanger, but could be water cooled. Turbine 90 a is typically coupled to compressor 90 b via a drive shaft 92. (This could also be a sequential turbocharger arrangement, single VGT, twin VGTs, or any other arrangement of turbochargers that could be used).

Further, drive pedal 94 is shown along with a driver's foot 95. Pedal position sensor (pps) 96 measures angular position of the driver actuated pedal.

Further, engine 10 may also include exhaust air/fuel ratio sensors (not shown). For example, either a 2-state EGO sensor or a linear UEGO sensor can be used. Either of these can be placed in the exhaust manifold 24, or downstream of devices 80, 82 or 90. It will be understood that the depicted diesel engine 10 is shown only for the purpose of example and that the systems and methods described herein may be implemented in or applied to any other suitable engine having any suitable components and/or arrangement of components.

Referring to FIG. 2, a flow chart of a method for activating heaters of sensors located in an engine exhaust stream is shown. At 201, engine operating conditions are determined. In one example, engine coolant temperature, ambient temperature, ambient pressure, and time since engine stop may be determined. Of course, some embodiments may determine more or fewer engine conditions before engine start. After determining engine operating conditions, routine 200 proceeds to 203.

At 203, it is judged whether or not conditions are met to monitor the output of a particulate matter sensor. In one embodiment, the output of a particulate matter sensor may be monitored when the estimated exhaust gas temperature is between a first threshold value and a second threshold value. The exhaust gas temperature may be estimated from engine coolant temperature, engine load, injection timing, and the number of combustion events since engine start, for example. In other embodiments, the particulate matter sensor may be monitored simply in relation to a time since start. Thus, the method of routine 200 may be executed during a first condition and bypassed or not executed during a second condition, the second condition different from the first condition. For example, routine 200 may be executed during a cold engine start and may not be executed during a warm engine start. Thus, routine 200 allows an engine controller to limit sensor heater current in response to the output of a particulate matter sensor. If conditions are met to monitor the output of a particulate matter sensor, routine 200 proceeds to 205. If conditions are not met, routine 200 proceeds to exit until it is executed again.

At 205, the output of a particulate matter sensor located in an exhaust stream is monitored. If the particulate matter sensor output exceeds a threshold value, routine 200 proceeds to 207. If not, routine 200 returns to 203. In another embodiment, the rate of change of the particulate matter sensor output may be determined. If the rate of change in the particulate matter sensor output is greater than a threshold, routine 200 proceeds to 207. If not, routine 200 returns to 203.

At 207, routine 200 judges if the particulate matter sensor output has exceeded a threshold value for more than a threshold amount of time. If so, routine 200 proceeds to 209. If not, routine 200 returns to 203. The threshold amount of time may be varied in relation to engine operating conditions if desired, or the threshold may be a constant. Further, the amount of time may be set to zero so that routine 200 can proceed to 209 if the particulate matter sensor output exceeds the threshold for a very brief period. In another embodiment, routine 200 may proceed to 209 if the particulate matter sensor output goes lower than a second threshold value after the output of the particulate sensor exceeds a first threshold for a first time since engine start. Otherwise, routine 200 returns to 203. Thus, routine 200 allows sensors and sensor heaters to be turned on based on different attributes of the particulate matter sensor output during an engine start. For example, heaters may be turned on at a rising or falling edge of an output signal from a particulate matter sensor. Further, sensors and/or sensor heaters may be activated when the output of a particulate matter sensor is above a threshold for a period of time. And of course, the period of time may be variable or constant.

In yet another embodiment, routine 200 may proceed to 209 in relation to other output attributes of a particulate matter sensor. In particular, the output of a particulate matter sensor may vary in response to engine operating conditions such that the particulate matter sensor provides additional information beyond an impulse-like response. For example, under some conditions the particulate matter sensor output may decay at a rate that may be related to exhaust gas temperature, ambient pressure, ambient humidity, or ambient temperature. In such conditions, the inflection point of the decay may be used to indicate when to activate other sensors or sensor heaters. Further, the rate of decay may be used to indicate when to activate other sensors or sensor heaters. For example, if the particulate matter sensor output decays at a rate that is greater than a threshold, other sensors or sensor heaters may be activated. In another example, if the particulate matter sensor output decays at a rate that is greater than a threshold, and then the rate of decay subsequently reduces to a rate that is less than a threshold rate of decay, then other sensors or sensor heaters may be activated when the particulate matter sensor output rate of decay is less than the threshold rate of decay. Further still, a routine may monitor both a rate of rise and rate of decay of an initial impulse-like response of a particulate matter sensor, and thus identify the first impulse-like response from the engine start.

Note that if the particulate matter sensor does not output a signal or if a signal is output, but below a threshold, during engine operation from a first condition to a second condition, the second condition different from the first condition, it may be judged that a particulate matter sensor shield is at least partially obstructed. For example, if an engine is started at a temperature of 18° C. and a particulate matter sensor does not output a signal by the time the engine reaches 70° C., it may be judged that a shield that protects the sensing element of the particulate matter sensor is at least partially obstructed from sensing exhaust gases.

At 209, routine 200 activates sensor heaters and/or sensors by supplying power to the sensors and/or sensor heaters. Sensor heaters may include but are not limited to oxygen sensor heaters, ammonia sensors, particulate sensor heaters, and NOx sensors. Power may be applied at full power or power may be gradually increased in relation to the output of the particulate matter sensor. In one embodiment, a heater voltage is modulated to an oxygen sensor heater. The voltage is begins at a low duty cycle (e.g., 10%) and is ramped to a higher duty cycle (e.g., 100%) before the heater is deactivated by setting the heater duty cycle to 0% in response to engine operating conditions.

It should be noted that the method of FIG. 2 can be applied to more than a single particulate matter sensor so that activation of different sensors and sensor heaters may be accomplished relative to different particulate matter sensors. For example, sensors and sensor heaters located upstream of a first particulate matter sensor can be activated in response to the output of a first particulate matter sensor while sensors and sensor heaters located between the first particulate matter sensor and a second particulate matter sensor are activated in response to a second particulate matter sensor located downstream of the first particulate matter sensor. Further, routine 200 allows the engine controller to activate a sensor heater after output of a particulate matter sensor exceeds said threshold value for the first time since the engine was last stopped.

Referring now to FIG. 3, it shows some signals or interest during an example engine cold start. For each of the plots, time begins from zero on the left side of the plot and increase to the right side of each plot.

In the upper plot, an example of engine speed during engine start is illustrated. The engine starts from rest at time T₁ and approaches 2000 RPM as it starts. Later in time, engine speed may be related to driver demand torque as time progresses from left to right. In this example, engine speed increases and decreases with driver demand.

In the plot second from the top of FIG. 3, example exhaust gas temperature is plotted. The exhaust gas temperature begins at ambient temperature before the engine is started and then increases. The exhaust temperature can be related to engine speed, engine load, and number of combustion events from engine start. In this example, exhaust gas temperature increases for approximately two-thirds of the plot and then levels off. Of course, actual exhaust gas temperatures are expected to vary depending on starting conditions and engine operating conditions.

In the plot third from the top of FIG. 3, an example output of a particulate temperature sensor is shown. This plot represents the change in electrical conductance of a particulate sensor. Initially, the sensor output is low and then abruptly increases at approximately one-fifth of the way through the plot. The increase corresponds to an increase of conductance from water droplets that may entrain on the sensing element. The particulate matter sensor output resembles an impulse response, but the duration of the response may vary depending on engine operating conditions and ambient conditions. Accordingly, activation or sensors or sensor heaters may be related to the impulse duration, the start of the impulse, or when the level of the impulse-like signal falls below a threshold amount. Further, the activation of other sensors and sensor heaters may be related to the position in the exhaust system where the particulate sensor is located. For example, sensors and heaters may be activated after a particulate matter sensor outputs a voltage above a threshold for more than 0.1 seconds when the particulate sensor is located downstream of the sensor or heater to be activated. The horizontal dashed line 301 represents a first threshold level that may be used to judge whether or not water condensate is present in the exhaust system. If the particulate matter sensor output exceeds the threshold level, it may be judged that water condensate is in the exhaust system. Thus, at time T₂ the particulate matter sensor indicates water condensate is present in the exhaust system.

At T₃, the particulate matter sensor output begins to decay below a second threshold 305 and indicates that water condensate is no longer present in the exhaust system, at least where the particulate matter sensor is mounted. In one example, routine 300 determines that water condensate is no longer present in the exhaust system upstream of where the particulate matter sensor is located because temperatures may assumed to be warmer upstream of the particulate matter sensor location. In particular, at higher exhaust temperatures, the dew point temperature is exceeded so that water condensate will not form in the exhaust. Therefore, in systems that employ multiple particulate matter sensors, sensors and sensor heaters that are upstream of a particulate matter sensor that indicates water condensate is no longer in the exhaust can be activated. For example, if first and second particulate matter sensors are positioned in an exhaust system, and the first particulate matter sensor is located upstream of second particulate matter sensor, sensors and sensor heaters located upstream of the first particulate matter sensor can be activated after the first particulate matter sensor outputs an impulse similar to impulse 303. Sensors and sensor heaters located downstream of the first particulate matter sensor but upstream of the second particulate matter sensor may be activated after the second particulate matter sensor outputs an impulse similar to impulse 303. Sensors and sensor heaters may be activated at the first or second threshold depending on system configuration and objectives. Thus, sensors and sensor heaters may be activated as the exhaust gas temperature exceeds the dew point temperature at the particular sensor location in the exhaust system.

Note that the actual point in time where water condensate is no longer present in the exhaust system may be deemed at any point after the particulate matter sensor begins to decay at T₃. The description of FIG. 2 provides an explanation of several different options. Also note that the lack of an impulse-like change in conductance or resistance similar to 303 can be used to indicate a degraded sensor or a plugged sensor shield.

The bottom plot illustrates an example of oxygen sensor heater control. Between T₁ and T₃ the oxygen sensor heater is off. At T₃, the oxygen sensor is turned on by applying a voltage to the oxygen sensor heater. The voltage is periodically cycled on and off so that the oxygen sensor is heated gradually. Heating the sensor gradually may reduce heater and sensor degradation. Note that the plot is only illustrative and not meant to limit the scope of heater control. Heater voltage may be applied at a higher frequency and different duty cycle than that which is illustrated without departing from the scope or intent of the description. At T₄, the heater voltage is applied at 100% duty cycle.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a flow chart of a method to diagnose whether or not a particulate matter sensor is functioning as desired is shown. The method can be useful for determining whether an open in the particulate matter sensor circuit exists or whether a sensor shield may be plugged. The method looks for a brief spike or impulse at the output of a particulate matter sensor which indicates increased particulate matter sensor conductance that may be observed when an engine is cold started, as previously shown in FIG. 3. Conductance of the particulate matter sensor may increase during a cold start as water vapor from engine exhaust impinges on the particulate matter sensor substrate and condenses as the exhaust gas temperature cools below the dewpoint. The water vapor in the exhaust may be formed from exhaust byproducts or from other water that has condensed in the exhaust system. The exhaust system temperature may gradually increase so that the water evaporates from the substrate and the conductance decreases; thereby, decreasing the particulate matter sensor output. Thus, the sensor can be expected to provide an output under certain engine operating conditions. By monitoring the output of the particulate matter sensor during cold start operating conditions, an evaluation of sensor operation may be made without additional circuitry or without disturbing system operation. During other engine operating conditions the particulate matter sensor output may not be monitored so that the engine controller can be released for other tasks.

At 402, engine operating conditions are determined. In one example, engine coolant temperature, ambient temperature, ambient pressure, and time since engine stop may be determined. Of course, some embodiments may determine more or fewer engine conditions before engine start. After determining engine operating conditions, routine 400 proceeds to 404.

At 404, it is judged whether or not conditions are met to monitor the output of a particulate matter sensor. In one embodiment, the output of a particulate matter sensor may be monitored when the estimated exhaust gas temperature is between a first threshold value and a second threshold value, the dewpoint between the first threshold value and the second threshold value. The exhaust gas temperature may be estimated from engine coolant temperature, engine load, injection timing, and the number of combustion events since engine start, for example. In other embodiments, the particulate matter sensor may be monitored simply in relation to a time since start. Thus, the method of routine 400 may be executed during a first condition and bypassed or not executed during a second condition. If conditions are met to monitor the output of a particulate matter sensor, routine 400 proceeds to 406. If conditions are not met, routine 400 proceeds to 414.

At 406, a flag is set to establish that an evaluation of a particulate matter sensor has been initiated. The flag is used in part to determine whether or not a particulate matter sensor degradation indication should be made. Routine 400 then proceeds to 408.

At 408, the output of a particulate matter sensor located in an exhaust stream is monitored. If the particulate matter sensor output exceeds a threshold value, routine 400 proceeds to 410. Alternatively, routine 400 may proceed to 410 after the particulate matter sensor output exceeds a first threshold and then falls below a second threshold. In another embodiment, the rate of change of the particulate matter sensor output may be determined. If the rate of change in the particulate matter sensor output is greater than a threshold, routine 400 proceeds to 410. In still another embodiment, if the change in conductance is greater than a threshold amount or if sensor conductance is greater than a threshold amount, routine proceeds to 410. If substantially no change (e.g., less than 5% of full scale output) in sensor output is observed by way of a change in conductance or by an output of voltage or current after an engine temperature has exceeded a dewpoint temperature, routine 400 returns to 404.

At 410, routine 400 judges if the particulate matter sensor output has exceeded a threshold value for more than a threshold amount of time. If so, routine 400 proceeds to 412. If not, routine 400 returns to 404. The threshold amount of time may be varied in relation to engine operating conditions if desired, or the threshold may be a constant. In another embodiment, routine 400 may proceed to 412 if the particulate matter sensor output goes lower than a second threshold value after the output of the particulate sensor exceeds a first threshold for a first time since engine start. Otherwise, routine 400 returns to 404.

In yet another embodiment, routine 400 may proceed in relation to other output attributes of a particulate matter sensor. In particular, the output of a particulate matter sensor may vary in response to engine operating conditions such that the particulate matter sensor provides additional information beyond the impulse-like response. For example, under some conditions the sensor output may decay at a rate that may be related to exhaust gas temperature, ambient pressure, ambient humidity, or ambient temperature. In such conditions, the inflection point of the decay may be used to indicate when to activate other sensors or sensor heaters. Further, the rate of decay may be used to indicate when to activate other sensors or sensor heaters. For example, if the particulate matter sensor output decays at a rate that is greater than a threshold, other sensors or sensor heaters may be activated. In another example, if the particulate matter sensor output decays at a rate that is greater than a threshold and then the rate of decay subsequently reduces to a rate that is less than a threshold rate of decay, then other sensors or sensor heaters may be activated when the particulate matter sensor output rate of decay is less than the threshold rate of decay.

At 412, routine 400 resets to zero the evaluation flag that was set in step 406 and indicates that the particulate matter sensor is not degraded beyond a threshold level. Routine 400 proceeds to exit after 412.

At 414, routine 400 determines if the particulate matter sensor test flag was set in step 406. If not, routine 400 exits. If so, routine 400 proceeds to 416. If the test flag was set at 406 and conditions for monitoring the particulate matter sensor are no longer met without the particulate matter sensor outputting a signal, routine 400 determines that the particulate matter sensor has degraded in some manner and proceeds to 416.

At 416, a degradation counter is incremented. However, if a subsequent particulate matter sensor evaluation indicates a desired signal from the particulate matter sensor, the counter may be reset or decremented at 412.

At 418, routine 400 determines if the degradation counter has reached a threshold level. If so, an indication to the vehicle operator or another engine system may be made at 420. After indicating degradation at 420 the particulate matter sensor test flag that was set at 406 is reset. If the degradation counter has not reached a threshold level, routine 400 proceeds to exit after resetting the particulate matter sensor test flag that was set at 406.

Thus, routine 400 can assess degradation of particulate matter sensors between first and second exhaust gas temperatures and indicate sensor degradation if the output of the particulate sensor does not exceed a threshold while engine exhaust gases are between the first and second exhaust gas temperatures. Further, an indication of degradation of a particulate matter sensor can be output after a plurality of engine starts so that an indication of degradation is not output for a single engine start where conditions may deviate from conditions where an output by the particulate sensor might be expected.

Note that the method of FIG. 4 may be applied to more than one sensor so that the outputs of different sensors may be compared during a single engine start. For example, for an engine having two separate exhaust passages, the output of one sensor during an engine start can be compared to the output of another particulate matter sensor located in a second different exhaust passage. If one particulate matter sensor indicates an output during a start, and the other particulate matter sensor doesn't indicate an output during the start or remains substantially unchanged (e.g., changes less that 5% of full scale), an indication of degradation of the sensor not outputting an impulse-like response may be given. Alternatively, an indication of a plugged sensor shield of the sensor having an output that does not change may be provided. If both sensors output impulse-like responses both sensors may be judged not degraded beyond a desired amount.

When the method of FIG. 4 is applied to an engine system having more than one particulate matter sensors, the particulate matter sensors may be located in different branches of the engine exhaust system. For example, a first particulate matter sensor may be located in a first branch and a second particulate matter sensor may be located in a second branch. Alternatively, the first particulate matter sensor and the second particulate matter sensor may be located in the same exhaust passage where the first particulate sensor is located upstream of the second particulate matter sensor. Where one particulate matter sensor is located downstream of the other particulate matter sensor, it is expected that the output of one sensor may change before the output of the other sensor. In such cases, assessment and indication of sensor degradation may be delayed until outputs from both sensors may be expected. Alternatively, the comparison of an output from said first particulate matter sensor to an output of said second particulate matter sensor may be conducted after the output of said first particulate matter sensor exceeds a threshold level and after the output of the first particulate matter sensor falls below a second threshold level. Further, the timing of the output of one or the other particulate matter sensor may be shifted in time so that the sensor outputs can be compared. For example, if an upstream particulate sensor changes conductivity at T₁ and downstream particulate sensor changes conductivity at T₂, the difference in time between T₁ and T₂ being 0.25 seconds, then the recorded output of T₂ can be shift forward in time by 0.25 seconds so that a relevant comparison between sensors may be made.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a circuit for diagnosing a short circuit in the particulate matter sensor is shown. Pull-up resistor 504 creates a voltage after low pass filter 508 that allows measurement the particulate matter sensor conductance using a transfer function and A/D convertor, for example. The pull-up resistor is sized based on the number of squares of particulate matter collection surface. Pull-down resistor 506 creates a 4.5×VREF signal when the particulate matter sensor is open circuit. The particulate matter sensor appears as an open circuit often because it has high impedance. However, drift of the pull-up resistance may also be detected since a signal that is not close to 4.5×VREF may be observed. As such, a controller could set a flag to check the controller hardware. In addition, if a wire supplying heater power to the particulate matter sensor degrades, a higher voltage may be observed at the controller. The circuit of FIG. 5 allows the particulate matter sensor to be diagnosed between a first and second threshold voltage level created by the circuit. For example, a voltage greater than 4.5×VREF may indicate particulate matter sensor degradation. And, a voltage that is much less than 4.5×VREF may not occur immediately after sensor regeneration (e.g., combusting soot on the sensor) because the resistance of the element is high. Consequently, indications for voltage higher than expected and for voltage lower than expected after particulate matter sensor regeneration may be provided by monitoring the voltage between pull-up resistor 504 and pull-down resistor 506.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a flow chart of an alternate method to diagnose whether or not a particulate matter sensor is functioning as desired is shown. The method heats a particulate matter sensor and looks for a change in the sensor output. For example, the sensor conductance can change so that additional current may flow through the sensor. Sensor output can change during sensor heating because the heating may allow leakage current to increase between the particulate matter sensor electrodes, thereby increasing the particulate matter sensor output.

At 602, engine operating conditions are determined. In one example, engine coolant temperature, ambient temperature, ambient pressure, and time since engine stop may be determined. By assessing engine operating conditions, routine 600 may initiate a particulate matter sensor evaluation when the evaluation is likely to have less effect on engine operation. After determining engine operating conditions, routine 600 proceeds to 604.

At 604, it is judged whether or not conditions are met to initiate evaluation of particulate matter sensor degradation. In one embodiment, the particulate matter sensor may be evaluated when the engine is not operating. For example, a particulate matter sensor may be evaluated after key-on while glow-plugs are being heated. In another embodiment, the particulate matter sensor may be evaluated when engine out particulates are expected to be low. For example, a particulate matter sensor may be evaluated when engine load is low and when engine speed is low. Thus, the method of routine 600 may be executed during a first condition and bypassed or not executed during a second condition. If conditions are met to evaluate a particulate matter sensor, routine 600 proceeds to 606. If conditions are not met, routine 600 proceeds to exit.

At 606, the particulate matter sensor heater is activated. The particulate matter sensor heater may be controlled to a desired temperature by adjusting voltage or current supplied to the heater. In one embodiment, the heater may be subject to a particular current profile so that the particulate matter sensor output will exhibit an expected response or value of current or voltage. The current profile may be stored in the memory of an engine controller and indexed as a function of time since start of evaluation. After activating the particulate matter sensor heater routine 600 proceeds to 608.

In addition, a timer may be started at 606 for a purpose of inferring the resistance of the particulate matter sensor heater. It may be desirable under some conditions to measure or calculate the amount of time that it takes for a heater to oxidize particulate matter on the particulate matter sensor. By determining the time it takes to lower conductance of a particulate matter sensor, particulate matter sensor resistance may be inferred. For example, if the time it takes to regenerate a particulate matter sensor increases, it may be determined that the heater circuit is an open circuit so that a diagnostic code or flag may be set to indicate particulate heater degradation. As a result, the particulate matter sensor heater resistance can be monitored without adding the expense of separate circuitry for determining particulate matter sensor heater resistance.

At 608, routine 600 determines whether or not the particulate matter sensor is at a threshold temperature before assessing the particulate matter sensor output. In one example, routine 600 determines if the substrate of the particulate matter sensor has reached a threshold temperature. In another example, routine 600 determines if the particulate matter sensor substrate has reached a temperature requested by a current profile in step 606. In one example, a first order model can be used to estimate the particulate substrate temperature. For example, using the heater current as an input, substrate temperature can be estimated. If the particulate matter sensor is at the desired temperature, routine 600 proceeds to 610. If not, routine 600 proceeds back to 606 where the particulate matter sensor heater temperature is controlled to the desired temperature.

At 610, routine 600 monitors the output of the particulate matter sensor. The sensor output may be monitored in a variety of ways and the particular method for monitoring the particulate matter sensor output may accordingly vary. In one embodiment, the voltage output from the particulate matter sensor is monitored by an engine controller. The particulate matter sensor output may be monitored while current is applied to the particulate matter sensor or for a period of time after current is withdrawn from the particulate matter sensor. After monitoring the particulate matter sensor output, routine 600 proceeds to 612.

At 612, routine 600 compares the particulate matter sensor output to expected values. In one embodiment, the particulate matter sensor output is compared to empirically determined values that are stored in memory of an engine controller. Further, in one embodiment, the particulate matter sensor may be evaluated and the evaluation results stored in memory to use as a basis for comparison with later particulate matter sensor evaluations. Thus, for example, particulate matter sensor heater current can be increased so that leakage current between the positive and negative electrodes of the particulate matter sensor increases. However, if the leakage current is less than a threshold value, it may be judged that the particulate matter sensor is degraded. In this way, the particular response of a particular sensor may be used as a basis for subsequent particulate matter sensor tests. This allows routine 600 to adapt to sensor variations that may be related to manufacturing or other sources.

The comparison of particulate matter sensor output to other sources or references may be accomplished in a variety of ways. In one example, the data of an evaluation may be subtracted by reference data to create an error. The error may be summed over the evaluation interval to create a value that may be assessed against a predetermined threshold value. If the value deviates from the threshold value by more than a prescribed amount, degradation may be determined. Thus, the particulate matter sensor regeneration heater may be activated, and if the resistance of the particulate matter sensor may decreases, or the conductance increases, it may be judged that the particulate matter has been degraded by conductive material, such as a metal. In one example, a regeneration heater may be activated and increase the temperature of a substrate of a particulate matter sensor above a threshold temperature. This method allows a controller to assess deposition of a conductive material on a particulate matter sensor in response to a resistance or conductance of said particulate matter sensor. This particular method may be performed whether or not the engine is operating or stopped.

In another embodiment, the particulate matter sensor output may be evaluated at specific intervals during the evaluation period. For example, particulate matter sensor output may be evaluated or monitored after a first amount of current is applied for a first period of time, and again after a second amount of current is applied for a second period of time. After comparing the particulate matter sensor output to expected values, routine 600 proceeds to 614.

In addition, if a timer is started at 606, the timer is stopped at 612. The sensor conductance or resistance can be compared to a function and if the conduction is less than a threshold level, then in one example, it may be judged that there is an open circuit and a particulate matter sensor regeneration heater degradation flag may be set. On the other hand, if the resistance of a particulate matter sensor is greater than a threshold level, it may be judged that there is an open circuit and a particulate matter sensor regeneration heater regeneration heater degradation flag may be set. Thus, the engine controller can infer the resistance of the particulate matter sensor regeneration heater. In another example, the controller may determine an amount of time for the conductance or resistance of said particulate matter sensor to go from a first threshold value to a second threshold value. For example, if a constant voltage is applied to the particulate matter sensor, the particulate matter sensor conduction may change from a first level of 0.0001 mhos to 0.001 mhos at second level. Or in the alternative, the resistance may go from 10,000 ohms to 1,000 ohms.

At 614, routine 600 determines whether to proceed to 616 or 618. If the particulate matter sensor output matches the expected value routine 600 proceeds to 616. If not, routine 600 proceeds to 618.

At 616, routine 600 indicates that the particulate matter sensor has not degraded by more than an allowable amount. Further, if degradation had been observed or detected during a previous evaluation, the degradation counter of 618 may be reset or decremented before routine 600 exits.

At 618, routine 600 increments a degradation counter and proceeds to 620. At 620, routine 600 determines if the degradation counter has reached a threshold level. If so, an indication to the vehicle operator or another engine system may be made at 622. If the degradation counter has not reached a threshold level, routine 600 proceeds to exit.

In another embodiment used with the method of FIG. 6, a resistor layer may be added between the electrodes of the particulate matter sensor. A resistive layer between the electrodes allows a sensor with minor degradation to the sensing electrode to be considered passing. A discrete resistor bridging the ends of the particulate matter sensor electrodes will flag any degradation to the electrode as sensor degradation. A resistor layer with a known temperature coefficient can be used to make the leakage current directly proportional to the sensor element temperature. The resistor material can be specified such that at standard particulate matter sensor operating temperatures (100 to 400° C.) the resistance would change little as the temperature varies; however, at the elevated temperatures seen during or after sensor heating, the resistor would have a strong temperature dependence. This arrangement facilitates a sensor output that is proportional to temperature only during heating. And, it allows for the change in sensor resistance to be used for evaluation with little influence on normal measurements. The resistor also makes the open/short circuit test much easier for the particulate matter sensor because are few conditions where the sensor is normally open circuit or high resistance.

Referring to FIG. 7, an example of expected output from a particulate matter sensor is shown. Output voltage is plotted against particulate matter sensor substrate temperature in degrees Celsius. Curve 702 represents the particulate matter sensor output when sensor temperature is increasing. Curve 704 represents the particulate matter sensor output when sensor temperature is decreasing. Such data may be the basis for evaluating particulate matter sensor degradation in the method of FIG. 6.

As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, routines described in FIGS. 2, 4, and 6 may represent one or more of any number of processing strategies such as event-driven, interrupt-driven, multi-tasking, multi-threading, and the like. As such, various steps or functions illustrated may be performed in the sequence illustrated, in parallel, or in some cases omitted. Likewise, the order of processing is not necessarily required to achieve the objects, features, and advantages described herein, but is provided for ease of illustration and description. Although not explicitly illustrated, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that one or more of the illustrated steps or functions may be repeatedly performed depending on the particular strategy being used.

This concludes the description. The reading of it by those skilled in the art would bring to mind many alterations and modifications without departing from the spirit and the scope of the description. For example, I3, I4, I5, V6, V8, V10, and V12 engines operating in natural gas, gasoline, diesel, or alternative fuel configurations could use the present description to advantage. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method for detecting a degraded dielectric particulate matter sensor including two electrodes separated by a dielectric gap, comprising: starting an engine with an engine temperature less than a dewpoint temperature; indicating degradation of said particulate matter sensor in response to a conductance of said particulate matter sensor staying below a threshold and lacking an impulse-like change as engine temperature increases past the dewpoint temperature; and indicating that the particulate matter sensor is not degraded in response to the conductance rising above the threshold and including the impulse-like change, as the engine temperature increases past the dewpoint temperature, said sensor having two electrodes separated by a dielectric gap.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein said indicating degradation is limited to when an exhaust gas temperature of said engine is between a first threshold temperature and a second threshold temperature.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein said indicating degradation of said particulate matter sensor is conducted after said conductance of said particulate matter sensor goes above said threshold and after said conductance of said particulate matter sensor falls below a second threshold.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein indicating degradation of said particulate matter sensor is related to a change in conductivity of said particulate matter sensor.
 5. The method of claim 1 wherein after a plurality of engine starts where degradation of said particulate matter sensor is determined, said indication is output.
 6. The method of claim 1 further comprising activating a heater of a sensor located in an exhaust path of said engine after said start and when said indicating degradation does not take place.
 7. The method of claim 1 wherein said output of said conductance of said particulate sensor is related to liquid water entrained in exhaust gases generated by said engine after said starting of said engine.
 8. A method for detecting a degraded particulate matter sensor, comprising: starting an engine when a temperature of said engine is less than a threshold temperature; and indicating a plugged sensor shield when a rate-of-change in conductance of an output of said particulate matter sensor after said start being less than a threshold amount, said rate-of-change in conductance related to water vapor in exhaust gases generated by said engine during said engine starting.
 9. A method for detecting a degraded particulate matter sensor, comprising: starting an engine when a temperature of said engine is less than a threshold temperature; and comparing an output of a first particulate matter sensor to an output of a second particulate matter sensor, said output of said first particulate matter sensor and said output of said second particulate matter sensor taking place between a first exhaust gas temperature and a second exhaust gas temperature Wherein said first particulate matter sensor is located in a first branch of an exhaust system of said engine and wherein said second particulate matter sensor is located in a second branch of said exhaust system.
 10. The method of claim 9 further comprising indicating degradation of said first particulate matter sensor when a conductance of said second particulate matter sensor changes after said start and when a conductance of said first particulate matter sensor remains substantially unchanged after said start.
 11. The method of claim 9 wherein said comparing said output from said first particulate matter sensor to said output of said second particulate matter sensor is conducted after said output of said first particulate matter sensor exceeds a threshold level and after said output of said first particulate matter sensor falls below a second threshold level.
 12. The method of claim 11 wherein an indication of a plugged sensor shield is made for said second particulate matter sensor when said output of said first particulate matter sensor is substantially different than said output of said second particulate matter sensor.
 13. A method for detecting a degraded particulate matter sensor, comprising: starting an engine when a temperature of said engine is less than a threshold temperature; and comparing an output of a first particulate matter sensor to an output of a second particulate matter sensor, said output of said first particulate matter sensor and said output of said second particulate matter sensor taking place between a first exhaust gas temperature and a second exhaust gas temperature, wherein said first particulate matter sensor and said second particulate matter sensor are located in a common branch of an exhaust system of said engine.
 14. The method of claim 13 wherein said output of said second particulate matter sensor changes after the output of said first particulate matter sensor changes. 